3 Comments

True words, which I advocate for, "You can do a lot without the title: mentor people, give actionable feedback, provide support when they're struggling."

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Absolutely! Leaders don't need a title to lead.

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I really enjoyed this article and can relate to many of the points made. Having transitioned from engineering to Engineering Management myself, I want to emphasize that the most crucial motivation for being a successful EM is genuinely caring about your team.

In my experience, EM work is often more unpredictable than individual contributor roles. Your impact depends on your team's dynamics, which makes the work more complex. This indirect influence means that if you’re not truly motivated by a desire to support and uplift others, it can be challenging to thrive in this role.

I've seen many engineers transition into EM roles for various reasons—some seeking authority or simply wanting to step away from coding. However, those motivations alone aren’t enough to make someone a great EM. It's the commitment to fostering growth in others that truly makes a difference.

Thanks for sharing such an insightful article!

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